The Provisions Of The Mentally Ill In Islamic Law And International Treaties

إسم المؤلف : Ahlam Mohammed Mohsen Akeel

Since childhood, my ambition was to become a nurse, to help people and treat patients. My wish came true, and my passion for this profession only grew, especially when I learned that the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The people most beloved to God are those most beneficial to others.”

During my work in the hospital, I realized the need to understand the rulings and guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his companions concerning patients. I couldn’t answer their questions unless I became well-versed in Islamic jurisprudence. This led me to enroll in the College of Sharia (Islamic Law) as a part-time student, studying in the mornings and working in the evenings. After graduation, my passion for knowledge drove me to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a doctorate. The book you hold in your hands is the result of my doctoral thesis.

One who studies the rulings of Islamic Sharia will find it remarkable in its comprehensiveness, consistency, and relevance to every time and place. Drawing from the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, it provides clarity and guidance for all that is good for us, both in this world and the hereafter. From these principles, we derive the legal basis to address emerging issues in modern times.

It is with great pleasure that I present this book, Rulings on the Psychologically Ill, which was my doctoral thesis. This work has been a guiding light for me over the past twenty years, and I have been teaching it within my community. I am now pleased to share it with a wider audience, as it supports one of the rights of patients and serves as a resource for psychologists, mental health students, and scholars.

This book contains:

- The causes of mental illness, the stance of Islamic jurisprudence on these causes, and how Islam addresses and prevents psychological disorders.
- An explanation of most of the rulings related to psychiatric patients in Islamic jurisprudence, including matters of worship, financial affairs, and personal status such as marriage, divorce, and custody.
- The most important individual, social, and institutional duties toward the mentally ill.
- A comparison between international psychiatric patient rights and Islamic rights.
I ask the All-Mighty to bless these efforts and to benefit everyone through this book.